Animal cruelty is not only abhorrent in its own right, but is often tied to other offenses, including violence against adults and children.

Black’ s Law Dictionary defines cruelty to animals as: “The infliction of physical pain, suffering, or death upon an animal, when not necessary for purposes of training or discipline or (in the case of death) to procure food or to release the animal from incurable suffering, but done wantonly, for mere sport, for the indulgence of a cruel and vindictive temper, or with reckless indifference to its pain.”

Save animals from needless suffering by learning the 11 signs of abuse, neglect or cruelty:

1. Poor body condition and noticeable trauma: The animal has severe matting and a filthy coat, open sores or obvious wounds. It appears to be flea or tick infested. It’s underweight with bones clearly visible. It might be limping or unable to walk at all, or have congested eyes or ears. It is in obvious physical distress and in need of veterinary care.

2. Lack of food or water: Every time you see this animal, you notice that it has no obvious sources of food and/or water. It may be aggressive due to starvation and thirst, and perhaps very lethargic.

3. Lack of shelter: The animal is contained in an area fully exposed to inclement weather or constant sun.

5. Abandoned: The animal is left in a house or yard that appears empty. Reports of companion animals abandoned and left to die inside vacant buildings or apartment units are alarmingly common, and it’s a crime in all 50 states to abandon an animal. If you notice a neighbor has moved or has stopped visiting a residence where you know animals live, be extra vigilant. Some dogs bark and whine to express their anxiety when they’re left alone, but a dog that is howling or barking for several hours is sending a clear signal that it is in need of immediate, life-saving care.

6. The animal is tied or caged: It has little room to move, and/or is unable to stand or turn.

7. There are chains or padlocks around or embedded into the animal’s neck: This includes regular collars, too. A chained animal is an abused animal.

8. The animal shows evidence of being trained for or having been used to fight: This is especially common with Pit Bull Terriers and even roosters. You may see training implements, treadmills, spring poles, etc. More likely, you’ll notice obvious signs of trauma, such as scars, open wounds, infections or even missing body parts, such as ears or partial tails.

9. The animal’s behavior is far from normal: It may be very aggressive or severely shy (e.g., cowering, hiding, fear-biting), even with or especially with its owner.

10. There are too many animals living on one property: This can be a sign of animal hoarding.

11. An owner being overtly violent against the animal, striking or otherwise physically abusing it. The worst thing you can do if you witness or suspect animal cruelty or neglect is nothing. Be that animal’s voice and get it out of its abusive situation immediately.

Four steps help an abused animal:

Animal cruelty is illegal in every state and a felony in 48 with the recent passage of the first felony animal cruelty law in Idaho. If you make a report of alleged animal cruelty the responding agency is required to investigate.

If you see an animal in distress, don’t assume that someone else will take care of the situation. Animals can’t speak for themselves; it’s up to you to speak for them.

1. Be prepared: Most large municipalities have a local animal control department, or an animal shelter or humane society responsible for cruelty investigations. Do an online search to identify the agency in your area, and program the number into your mobile phone so you are prepared to report abuse.

2. Speak up or call 911: If you witness overt violence against an animal or suspect it, speak up! If you don’t feel comfortable intervening in a situation directly, call 911 or your local animal welfare organization immediately (see step #1). It’s essential to call law enforcement when violence is involved, since it is likely part of an ongoing pattern that may include abuse against against people as well. If you’re traveling or living in a more rural area or community without an animal control agency, call 911 or the local police department.

3. Document the details: Tell the officer as many details of the situation as you can: the location, date, time and descriptions of the people and animals involved. Video and photographic documentation – even a mobile phone photo – can help bolster the case. Provide names of others who may have witnessed the incident. Remain on the scene until authorities arrive, if you can do so safely.

4. Prepare to testify: While you may remain anonymous, the case will be much stronger if you’re willing to identify yourself and testify to what you witnessed. A human witness is crucial for building a strong, prosecutable case.

Additional resources:

Perspectives on animal cruelty from a former humane law enforcement officer
Signs of animal cruelty (flyer)
How to stop animal cruelty
State-by-state “humane” rankings: how does your state stack up?
Percentages of various animal abuse crimes in the U.S.

1. A vet check

Sometimes the only way you know your cats are not in good health is by their behavior. The indicators can be subtle and hard to recognize — the only clues of medical problems may be changes in how cats act. Feigning good health is a survival tactic that helps ferals and strays survive among hungry predators who are looking for easy meals. Felines who show signs of being sick or injured are more vulnerable than healthy ones. Although this tactic can work for cats living wild, it can be detrimental for pets. Usually, by the time cat parents notice changes in behavior, medical issues have progressed and the kitties need to be examined by veterinarians as soon as possible.

Cats who are cranky may be reacting to painful arthritis, mouth and teeth problems, as well as a number of other unpleasant conditions. Litter box avoidance may be a symptom of serious ailments that include urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. Kitties who hide from people they are bonded to may be instinctually responding to injury and illness by making themselves scarce. Be aware that the subtlest of changes may have their roots in disease. One of my cats started sleeping on hard surfaces — his sudden change in behavior was caused by lymphoma.

2. The right litter boxes and daily maintenance

Finding urine on beds, sofas, and carpets is not the high point of anyone’s day. Although frustrating, eliminating outside of litter boxes is a problem that most likely can be resolved. Depending on the circumstances and the environment it also can be headed off before it begins, through daily litter box maintenance, providing large, uncovered litter boxes, and placing them in accessible yet quiet areas where cats won’t feel trapped.

3. The right stuff to scratch

Scratching the household furniture is one of the main reasons people declaw their cats — an unnecessary and painful procedure. Although cats instinctually scratch objects, they do not have to focus their claws on sofas and rugs.

Scratching is a multifunctional activity. In addition to providing claw maintenance, scratching marks territories. Kitties also scratch when they feel conflicted and stressed, when playing, and after a satisfying nap. In short, cats have to scratch!

4. Provide some high places to perch

Your fourth resolution is to add vertical territory — high places around your home that your cats can jump and climb up to. Vertical territory can improve inter-cat relationships, become safe havens, and help keep your cats physically fit.

Cats don’t always get along with each other. One thing that fuels these iffy relationships is kitties not being able to demonstrate their positions in flexible hierarchies. A way they show their status in a multicat household is by where they situate themselves in relationship to each other. Typically, cats who occupy a high position in the hierarchy sit at the highest level while the others hang out on the lower perches. It’s not a static hierarchy — it changes, depending on a number of factors including other animals, food, and their health. Vertical territory, in the form of tall cat trees and condos, high shelves, perches, and household furniture can contribute to improving relationships.

Like many cat-centric objects and activities, vertical territory has many purposes. Climbing and jumping are natural pastimes for cats. Navigating up to the high shelves and perches provides exercise and mental stimulation. Felines feel safe in high places — they can view potential threats from up high. Additionally, tall cat trees placed next to secure windows are perfect for napping and observing the neighborhood activity. One can never have too much vertical territory.

5. Provide some social enrichment

Your fifth resolution is enriching your cat’s environment. Gift her with toys she enjoys playing with, places to climb, objects to scratch, and things to do. Interact with her every day — spend quality time playing and cuddling.

Cats often become bored and inactive when they do not have enough stimulation. Bored cats live in a boring environment — devoid of interesting toys to play with, objects to climb, or bonded buddies to interact with. Cats who are bored often develop behavior problems. They may create their own entertainment by scaling the curtains, knocking items off of shelves, or shredding toilet paper. Some develop harmful repetitive behaviors such as overgrooming. Others become obese from being inactive. Although all of these behaviors may indicate boredom, they can also be caused by medical or other types of behavior problems.

Cats need mental and physical stimulation. Enriching their homes with ball-and-track toys, puzzle boxes and feeders, tall cat trees and high perches, tunnels to hide in, and cat scratchers helps keep cats active and interested in their environment. Games and play sessions also help keep kitties engaged. Some cats love to fetch; most enjoy lively play sessions every day. Other activities that are fun for cats and their people include treasure hunts and clicker training.

Although being proactive does not guarantee behavior issues won’t develop, the odds are in your favor that your cats will be perfect angels for 2015.

and placing them in accessible yet quiet areas where cats won’t feel trapped.

Winter is a great time for walking and hiking with your dogs; no bugs, no humidity, fewer people. But there are also some real challenges when hiking or walking with our dogs in the Winter. Besides the extreme cold, there is also the possibility of ice and snow. So before hitting the streets or the trails, be prepared. Following are some cold weather tips for walking and hiking.

The level of preparation you will need to take will depend on the type and personality of your dog. A small hairless dog will have greater needs that my big labs that thrive in the colder weather. But you also need to take into consideration, the age and health of the dog. Both my dogs had surgery to repair the ACLs and have titanium plates in their legs. So it is likely they will be more sensitive to the cold then they have in the past. Older dogs often have arthritis and while they may start out ok, as the walk continues they may become increasingly stiff and experience some pain. Puppies bone structures are not fully formed so a long hike in the snow may just be too much for them and make cause them distress later in life.

First and foremost, winter brings cold temperatures and ice. A nice fleece dog coat or sweater is a welcome addition for many dogs winter walking. In icy conditions, many communities apply deicers, salt and lots of other harmful chemicals to streets and roadways. These chemicals can be very harmful to your pups. So ideally, your pup can wear some dog boots. Unfortunately, many dogs will just not tolerate the boots, therefore you need to wipe their paws thoroughly when they get back indoors.

While your dog has claws and paws that provide them with some traction, slipping and sliding on ice could damage their ligaments so minimize, or better yet eliminate time spent around large areas of ice. For your own protection, you should also have some traction for walking in the snow or ice. There are several great products available that slip on over your shoes that will provide you with some light traction. I never leave home in the winter without my Yaktraks.

If you will be walking or hiking in snow, check your dogs paws before leaving the house, particularly if you have a dog with longer hair. Snow and ice-balls with cling to their paws. To minimize this, first make sure their nails and the fur between the paws are trimmed to minimize the accumulation of snow. You can also spray the paws with a special deicing solution or just spray their paws with a light application of olive oil or cooking spray.

Be extra careful when walking or hiking your dog off-leash in the winder. Dogs will lose their keen sense of smell in extreme cold or snow and may get lost. So make sure you only visit areas your pup knows well or make sure you have an excellent recall command instilled in your dog. Finally, stay away from lakes, ponds and other bodies of water that freeze up. Besides the slipperiness of the ice, if the water is not completely frozen they could fall in requiring a dangerous recovery.

When making plans over the holidays, consider the events where you can include your pet — Christmas tree lighting, finding the perfect Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols door to door in your neighborhood — it’s likely that you can easily bring Fido or other pets along for some of this holiday fun. Many of these holiday activities that are also pet-friendly are outdoors and it’s likely to be cold out, so be sure as you’re bundling up to stay comfortable outside, you do the same for your pet.

Hang a stocking for Fido, and fill it with his special treats. Yes, it’s the holiday season, and time to share the celebrations with your pets.

Pet-friendly parties
Let’s face it–parties tend to get loud and boisterous. Some of our companion animals may feel a bit uncomfortable with all the noise and extra people in their space. It is a good idea to keep an eye on our pets and remove them to a quiet area if they start to become over-excited or nervous. The sweet gentle dog who would never think of biting someone might snap at a party guest who is forcing the dog to accept attentions he may not want.

And when the cat who is usually such a bundle of love suddenly begins to snarl and slap at guests, she is saying that she has had enough! You might consider leading the animal around the room to greet each guest, and then putting the pet in a quiet room with a few treats _before_ he or she has the chance to feel too stressed.

Some Christmas treats can be toxic to pets
Everyone loves to eat. And those wonderful family feasts during the holidays are hard to resist, for us and for our pets. Supervise any well-meaning guests who try to slip a morsel of food to the dog or cat, or even the bird. There are foods that are dangerous for our pets and unfortunately, some people may not realize how ill they could cause our pets to become.

Make sure that alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine are kept off limits for all pets, and that avocado is not given to any birds. These items can be toxic to our furred and feathered family members!

Creative gift wrap
Giving gifts during the holiday season is a fun and special part of the festivities. There are many cute items on the market for our pets, and they love getting gifts as much as we do! If you decide to wrap your pet’s presents, be sure not to use any of the pretty holiday foil gift wrap. A companion animal could become seriously ill if any of the foil paper were to be ingested.

Use plain paper or butcher paper to wrap Fido’s or Fluffy’s gifts. Then stand back and watch them tear into the treats.

Use candles with caution
If lighting candles is part of your family’s traditional celebrations, make sure your pets are kept at a safe distance. Imagine how easy it would be for the cat to knock over a candle stick and start a fire, or for the dog to grab a candle to chew on! And the bird will be tempted to get close to the pretty flame just to see what it is.

Candles are special in so many holiday celebrations. Go ahead and enjoy them…just enjoy them while your pet is safely away in another area of the home.

Making memories
While enjoying all the holiday festivities with your companion animals, don’t forget to take lots of pictures. The pets will probably be the only ones not moaning and groaning about how fat they looked. All they’ll remember will be how much fun they had!

Just because you’re traveling for the holidays doesn’t mean you have to leave your pooch at home! A great way to include your beloved pet in your holiday traditions this year is to bring them with you, no matter where you travel to over the holidays. Most hotels, even the highest-end hotels, are pet-friendly now, and if you’re staying with family, it’s even less of a concern. By bringing your pet with you to your holiday travel destination, they’ll be part of the holiday action, just like they would be in your own home.

Of course they should be use to traveling. Our doggies particularly like Motel 6 because they are all laid out the same. I have seen fellow pet lovers with their cats, guinea pigs, and other small animals at Motel 6 as well.

byAndy Eckardt

DURBACH, Germany — Deer and dogs are not natural companions, but nobody seems to have told Carla the Labrador.

A year-and-a-half ago the canine was out walking in Germany’s Black Forest when they came upon a solitary fawn. Carla licked the little deer, and shoved it gently with her nose, owner Helga Kuderer told NBC News.

Watch Carla the Labrador and Peterle the Stag Playing0:57

“Carla immediately took up a mother role, when she found the abandoned baby stag during a hike through the forest,” the 52-year-old recalled.

The two have become the best of friends.

Kuderer, who owns a 200-year-old Christmas tree farm with her husband Andreas, adopted the orphaned deer and named it Peterle. The family raised the young stag, feeding it bottles of goat milk for nearly six months before it returned to the woods on its own.

Do you have your heart set on bringing home a specific breed of dog? Here’s how to get matched up with the perfect dog for you, and help out rescued pets in need of forever homes at the same time.

It may come as a surprise, but you don’t have to go through a breeder to find the perfect purebred dog. If you have your heart set on a specific breed, there are dog rescues waiting to match you with your ideal companion. You can help a rescued dog find a forever home and get the dog you’ve been dreaming about.

Why dogs end up in breed-specific rescues:

There is a misconception that getting a dog from a breed-specific rescue is less desirable than getting one from a breeder. Dogs who end up in rescues aren’t there because they’re rejects from breeders, or substandard in any way. Often, the dogs who end up in these rescues are given up by owners who underestimated the effort it takes to raise a dog, or they figured out that the breed they chose isn’t the right match for their personality or lifestyle. And many times they are well-loved dogs whose owners had to give them up because of life changes, like moving, divorce, a new job or leaving the country.

Dogs also end up in breed-specific rescues when puppy mills are shut down. Additionally, when shelters receive pure-bred dogs, usually about 20-30 percent of the dogs they receive, they often turn them over to breed-specific rescues so that the shelter has more room for mixed-breed dogs in need of homes.

Whatever the reason, dogs that end up in breed-specific rescues are every bit as good as any other dog. So if you’re convinced you want a purebred dog, be assured that rescues are a great way to find the perfect companion for you.

What to expect when adopting from a breed-specific dog rescue:

Breed-specific rescues, like other rescue groups, put a great deal of energy, expense, and care into the dogs they re-home. The rescues are an effort of love, and the diligence they put into finding the perfect match between a dog and a forever home shows it. The rescue is there for the dogs’ best interests, not the desires of potential owners, so expect to do a little hoop-jumping when adopting. This will benefit you in the long run by making sure you bring home the perfect dog for you.

Breed-specific rescues will first make sure that you’re the right kind of person for the breed you’re seeking to adopt. What kind of home you have, how active you are, how much time you want to invest in grooming, if you’re aware of health issues for the breed, if you have kids or other pets, and so on. All these factors determine if your home is right for the breed, and if it is, if there is a dog in the rescue whose personality matches up with you and your home.

Expect to fill out an application, be interviewed, and have an in-person home check. It may feel like a hassle but there is a reason for the red tape. There are too many instances of people who adopt dogs only to neglect or abuse them, to turn them back in to the rescue when things don’t work out, to immediately sell them to make money, or use them as bait dogs in fighting rings. Any rescue worth its salt will do extra work to avoid these outcomes.

What is also great about breed-specific rescues is you can get a dog that is the breed you want and also has personality characteristics you know you want. You can find dogs of all ages, and all temperaments; you can look for an adolescent dog with a boisterous personality, or an adult dog that has mellowed out. The rescue will be able to tell you everything you need to know about each dog’s personality and quirks so you can minimize the surprises when you bring your new pet home.

Figure out what breeds are best suited to your personality and lifestyle.
You may love the look of a certain breed, but it could end up being the last companion you want to live with. For example, when the movie ‘101 Dalmatians’ came out, people rushed out to get the cute spotted pups. But what many didn’t realize is that dalmatians are high energy dogs who need a lot of activity, can be protective and stubborn, and can have serious health issues. English bulldogs are another favorite for their frumpy faces and stumpy bodies; however, they require daily grooming of all those folds of skin to avoid infections. They also like to lay around and snooze, so they aren’t ideal for a person or family with an active lifestyle, no matter how cute they look.

Another perfect example is the border collie. Border collies are so smart, so they’d be so easy to train and live with, right? Nope! That high energy level means they need several hours of running every day and a lot of mental stimulation like agility training or learning tricks. If you can not provide that, you might find yourself with a dog literally going crazy, compulsively running in circles or chewing walls. Many people don’t realize this until the damage is done.

Finally, don’t rule out mixed-breed dogs. Often, they have fewer genetic health problems, live longer, and are less expensive to own since they (usually) require fewer trips to the vet and groomer.

Find a breed-specific dog rescue:

So you are absolutely sure you want a purebred dog, and you have narrowed down the breeds that are right for you. The next step is looking up breed specific rescues. Luckily, there is a rescue (or many!) for pretty much every breed of dog imaginable. You can find updated listings of rescues at:Adopt-a-PetAmerican Kennel ClubPetfinder, where you can search by breed, age, sex, size and location

The Neighborhood Cats Winter Shelter

We suggest these safe havens even for our own cats that go out with us in the morning as we leave for work. If you can’t get home or the weather turns ugly they can always have refuge from the harsh elements. ~Melissa

For detailed instructions on how to build, click hereTo view photos of how to assemble, click here. Picture trail courtesy of Arjun Ray.

Originally designed by Karin Hancock of Port Washington, NY, our favorite feral cat winter shelter has many advantages. The two-inch thick hard Styrofoam is excellent insulation and traps the cat’s body heat, effectively turning the feline into a radiator. Air space is purposely limited, so there is less volume to be heated. Typically, 3 to 4 cats can fit comfortably inside, although more might curl up on a severely cold night.

The shelter is lightweight and should be weighed down. Best is to place two shelters about a foot apart with the doors facing each other. Bridge the gap by laying a piece of plywood across both roofs. Now the shelters are fully protected against the elements.

After the cats have begun using the shelters, you might try adding a flap door which the cats can easily pull back. A piece of a vinyl mat will do, attached by drilling (or poking) two holes above the door opening and using plastic nuts and bolts (like those used to attach toilet seats). Never place water inside because it could spill and get the cats wet, threatening their health.

Materials include an 8-foot sheet of hard Styrofoam (usually pink), a few linoleum floor tiles, a tube of silicone sealant and deck paint. Average cost will likely be in the range of $50 to $60 each. Ideally the Styrofoam will be cut with a table saw in order to keep the edges of the pieces straight.

Materials needed are: a large Rubbermaid storage bin, an eight foot by two foot sheet of one-inch thick hard Styrofoam, a yardstick, a box cutter or utility knife, and straw, shredded newspaper or other insulating material. Then assemble as follows:

Cut a doorway six inches by six inches in one of the long sides of the storage bin towards the corner. To prevent flooding, cut the opening so that the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground.

Line the floor of the bin with a piece of Styrofoam, using the yardstick and box cutter to cut out the piece.

In similar fashion, line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the Styrofoam. Perfect cuts are not necessary. Don’t make the Styrofoam go all the way up to the top of the bin, but leave a uniform gap of at least three inches between the top of these Styrofoam “wall pieces” and the upper lip of the bin. There needs to be room for an interior Styrofoam “roof” to fit.

Cut out a doorway in the Styrofoam where it is lined up with the doorway that has been cut out already in the storage bin. Trace the outline of the doorway on the Styrofoam first before cutting.

Stuff the bottom of the bin with straw or other insulating material to hold the Styrofoam interior wall pieces in place.

Cut out a Styrofoam “roof” to rest on top of the Styrofoam interior wall pieces

Cover the bin with its lid.

This shelter can be cleaned by taking off the lid and the Styrofoam roof. It’s also lightweight and may need to be weighed down. A flap over the doorway is optional. Catnip can be sprinkled inside at first to attract the cats.

Other Alternatives

Spay and Stay of Lake County, Illinois, offers detailed plans and photos on its website for making inexpensive winter shelters from two Rubbermaid storage boxes. Click here for instructions.

Bushwick Street Cats designed a storage bin shelter with a clever twist; this one uses a plastic flowerpot to create a safe and sturdy entranceway for the cats. Find step-by-step instructions here.

Another shelter created from Rubbermaid storage bins was designed by John V.; this version features an interior panel that serves as a windbreak. For complete DIY instructions click here.

Simple shelters can be made from styrofoam boxes. Look for them in places like supermarkets, fish stores and butcher shops. Omaha steak boxes are excellent and a great way to recycle. Vaccines and medications that must remain cold in transit are shipped in styrofoam containers so your veterinarian may also be a good source. To make a shelter use a sharp utility knife to cut a 5″ to 6″ hole (anywhere but the middle of the container’s long side), weigh down the box with a brick and stuff with straw. Painting is optional.

If you want to get fancy, get a large Igloo cooler and, with a jigsaw, cut a five to six inch round hole towards the left or right of one of the long sides. The attached lid will allow for easy cleaning.

The Rubbermaid Roughneck Homes Program offers access to wholesale pricing on two of the most popular Rubbermaid Totes used for creating safe feral cat shelters. Find purchasing information and step-by-step instructions here.

Want more ideas? View the webinar Colony Care: Food & Shelter for additional shelter designs plus invaluable cold weather tips. Colony Care is part of PetSmart Charities’ 2014 Supporting Community Cats webinar series. The 60-minute presentation, instructed by Neighborhood Cats’ Directors Meredith Weiss and Lois McClurg is archived in the PetSmart Charities e-Learning Center. To view the recorded webinar go here, then click “Catalog”; click “Supporting Community Cats”; click the session title; click “Enroll”. Note, if you have not previously signed up to view webinars in the e-Learning center you’ll need to create an account. The process takes less than a minute to complete.

New York City – Local Resources

Shelters

Pre-made fish boxes – Constructed from recycled styrofoam fish boxes covered with two 2-ml thick plastic liners and heat-welded straps. Straw included. It is important to place right side up as there are drainage holes. We recommend placing the shelters on something such as bricks or pieces of wood, not directly on the ground to allow for drainage.

In an emergency, such as the aftermath of a bad storm or a sudden cold snap, you can quickly make an adequate temporary shelter out of a cardboard box, plastic sheeting (or trash bags), duct tape and shredded newspaper. The cardboard provides some insulation, the plastic will keep the shelter dry and the newspaper will let the cats burrow in.

Take a cardboard box and tape all the seams shut with the duct tape. Wrap plastic sheeting (a drop cloth 3 mm thick is best) or a heavy duty trash bag (3 mm thick contractor bags are best) around the box, securing it by liberally and tightly wrapping duct tape around the sides of the box. Make as few seams as possible with the plastic and duct tape over any that are there. In one of the shorter sides and a few inches above the ground, cut open a doorway about 6 inches by 6 inches. It’s important to leave a lip at the bottom of the doorway and not have the opening right on the ground. Use duct tape to hold the loose plastic around the doorway in place. Fill the interior up to the bottom of the doorway (and a little higher towards the back of the box) loosely with shredded newspaper.

Special tip! Put a smaller cardboard box inside a slightly larger one for added insulation.

If possible, place the box shelter underneath something to protect it, like a tree or a porch, and on top of something to raise it off the ground, like a pallet. Weigh it down with a couple of bricks or rocks, heavy enough to keep it in place but not to crush the top. For permanent winter shelter, consider one of the alternatives below.

FeralVilla

For $72.95 plus shipping, the manufacturer FeralVilla will send you a pre-fabricated wooden insulated shelter that you can assemble with a screwdriver. According to the website:

“The unique design has 2 levels — a ‘labyrinth’-type lower level to keep out wind and water, and an insulated, upper level that allows the cat’s own body heat to be retained during cold weather.

“The overall size of The FeralVilla is 22″ x 22″ and about 21” high at the peak of the roof. The roof overhangs the main body by a couple inches to provide additional weather resistance.

“The basic construction materials are like those used in homes. All wood is painted to resist weathering and rot. The lower legs (that rest on the ground) are made from pressure treated lumber that is particularly resistant to rot and insect damage. Under normal outside conditions, the shelter is expected to last a minimum of 7 years.”

Note: FeralVilla has just discontinued production of its wood construction shelters; once supplies are depleted the original design will be released using SmartSide materials. SmartSide, a man-made material, looks like wood but has greater durability and resists fungal decay. Pricing to be announced.

Insulation

The cats’ shelter will be warmer and cozier if you put insulating material inside. The material must be dry and loose so that the cats can burrow into and underneath it. Straw is best, while shredded newspaper will also work. Remember, straw is NOT the same as hay which is used for animal feed. Straw repels moisture while hay draws and holds moisture. As a result hay can become moldy, triggering allergic responses and nasal sores. The worst choices for insulation are blankets, towels or folded newspaper. Because the cats can only lie on top of these materials, they actually draw out body heat and defeat the purpose. But do keep in mind, if you use insulating materials, you must be able to change them regularly in order to ensure they stay dry.

Looking for straw? Try these sources:

Straw

Any Tractor Store or Feed Store will have straw. When in doubt you can always use Bermuda hay.

Stables and feed stores stock straw and may offer large bales at reasonable prices.

The Home Depot, Lowe’s, some garden centers and craft stores such as Michael’s and AC Moore sell small bales of straw used for decoration. These small bales are sufficient to stuff a couple of shelters each.

Another option – try speaking to stores, restaurants or banquet halls whose fall displays use bales of straw. After Thanksgiving they’re usually discarded to make way for holiday displays. Ask to take the straw off their hands!

Here’s two other ideas for insulation:

Take a cotton pillow case and loosely fill it with styrofoam peanuts, the kind used to pack fragile items during shipping. Tie the pillow case closed and put it inside the shelter. The pillow case will conform to the cat’s body and wrap her in warmth-capturing peanuts. (Note: as packing peanuts are now often made from starch, which dissolves in water, it’s helpful to place the peanuts in a plastic bag before putting them in the pillow case). (This idea originally comes from the book Maverick Cats: Encounters with Feral Catsby Ellen Perry Berkeley.)

One exception to the rule that insulating material must allow cats to burrowin, rather than sit on top is the Fleximat Mysterious Purr Pad. The pads can be placed on the floor of the shelter and will help to conserve body heat. Sold in packs of two pads.

Extreme Cold

Claudia Allen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, lines the interior walls of her styrofoam shelters with a Mylar reflective blanket, which can be bought at survival stores as thermal safety blankets for people (in case your car gets stuck in the cold.) The Mylar reflects the cat’s body heat back onto him and can make the difference in extreme temperatures, particularly in the more northern states and Canada. For a detailed explanation of how to build Claudia’s Mylar-lined winter shelter, complete with photos, click here (pdf file).

Claudia also uses an outdoor heating pad in the shelter and an electric dish that she reports keeps water from freezing as low as minus 38 degrees F. These items can be found at smile.amazon.com (select Neighborhood Cats as your charity and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price!)

Caretakers have reported the Mylar blankets are also effective when laid on the floor of the shelter or attached to the walls. They don’t absorb and take away body heat like ordinary blankets when a cat lies on top, but instead reflect heat back. That’s why they’re sold as emergency blankets for car travel in wintertime. Mylar blankets are very inexpensive, usually costing no more than a dollar or two each. Go to Amazon.com for a list of retailers and prices. If attaching to the interior walls, you can use freezer tape or, for a more permanent fix, carpenter glue. Be sure to tuck in any loose material at the seams so the cats aren’t tempted to pull at or chew the loose material.

Hewitt Grant II of Bartow, Florida had been found guilty of 84 counts of animal cruelty related to dog fighting earlier this month. He was given 20 years in prison after violating a court order by Circuit Judge Wayne Durden stating that Grant could no longer have dogs.

All of this comes after Grant was found guilty back in 2007 on 80 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, again stemming from dog fighting. He was given 364 days in jail, but in 2008 his lawyers found a way to weasel him out on a technicality pertaining to an illegal search of Grant’s property.

Even though the charges against him at the time were dropped, he was still slapped with a court order to never be “in possession” of a dog for the rest of his life. An order Grant seemed too willing to violate.

Judge Durden said that Grant’s attitude and willingness to violate that court order is directly what gave him the 20 years in jail he’s now facing.

According to Judge Durden, “The defendant went out of his way to egregiously violate the injunction by his conduct in this case.” He then went on to say that Grant’s actions of cruelty against helpless animals as reprehensible. “This is based on evidence of what I saw of those dogs in this case,” said Judge Durden. “Their scars on their heads, faces and bodies.”

Grant did testify on his own behalf, along with several other family members and his church leaders. Grant begged for leniency, stating that he’d use it to fix his relationships with his family, especially his two children.

Pastor Michael Littlejohn, one of the ministers from Grant’s church spoke on his behalf at the trial sentencing. He said, “”I couldn’t help but think of Michael Vick and all the potential he has.”

The prosecution called on many witnesses at the hearing. They brought fourth persons from animal control and the local SPCA that were there when Grant’s property was raided. They recounted both what they saw and how it made them feel back in October when the raid took place.

Donna Seiler, field supervisor with the sheriff’s office said, “”The name Hewitt Grant brings back bad memories I’d like to forget.”

Assistant State Attorney Carson Bassett said that Grant was tormenting these dogs for his own pleasure.

“The dogs didn’t ask for this and didn’t put themselves in this situation,” Bassett said before the sentence was handed down. “You can send a message to Hewitt Grant and all others involved in dog fighting.”

Has the cold got both you and your dog cooped up and suffering from cabin fever? Here are the top ten things to do to keep you and your pooch entertained on a snowy winter’s day.Anxiety: Being couped up inside is no fun for anyone, and our four-legged friends can sometimes become anxious during these long winter days. Boredom, lack of regular exercise, and lack of companionship can be strong inducers of anxiety for some dogs, especially those that are young or highly active. You can help mitigate this anxiety by providing plenty of physical and mental stimulation through daily walks, lots of toys, and by keeping to a strict schedule for play time, quiet time, feeding time, and sleep.

1. Teach that old dog new tricks.

There’s nothing more rewarding than taking ten minutes and teaching your dog to shake, rollover, or play dead. Engaging your pet in training exercises strengthens the bond between you two plus creates the added bonus of giving you something to show off.

2. Treat your dog to a day at the spa.

So what if it’s too cold for a hose-down in the yard? Take this time to beautify your pup indoors. A good solid brushing will help discard constantly shedding fur and skin cells, stimulate oil production to yield a shinier coat, and promote better skin circulation. Clip your dog’s nails, brush your dog’s teeth, and indulge him with the coup-de-grace: a full body massage!

3. Make a new dog toy.

Have any old towels or ratty blankets lying around? Add a few hearty knots and your pup has a new toy, plus you earn bonus points for recycling.

4. Push the furniture out of the way and par-tay!

Turn up the music and dance with your dog, or play tug-of-war as you would outside. Have a wrestling match or play hide-n-go-seek. This isn’t horseplay in the house – it’s dog play!

5. Invite a friend over for a puppy play date.

Some indoor socializing can help shake down those wintertime blues.

6. Take time to dog-proof your home.

Check for exposed wires, enticing decorative plants, accessible trashcans, small children’s toys, and anything else that may seem like an open invite for doggie mayhem.

7. Snap some pictures to create a memory.

Get creative. Here’s the time to get just the right profile picture of your dog for next year’s Christmas cards. If you’re into scrap booking, dedicate a page to the day you were snowed in together. Or, nothing says subtle, classy artwork like a single, framed paw print. Kid’s acrylic water-based paint is non-toxic and non-staining, so knock yourself out!

8. Clean the (dog) house.

No, this doesn’t exactly sound like fun, but creating some time to scrubbing all your dog’s food and water bowls and washing his blankets, bedding, and toys helps not only your home, but keeps your pet more hygienic as well.

9. Read a book.

This may sound corny, but sitting down next to your dog and reading aloud is definite quality doggie time: you are both relaxed and the sound of your voice is comforting to your pooch. Getting to the end of the latest James Patterson novel is a major plus too!

10. Take a nap!

What’s better than a cozy mid-day snooze all wrapped up with blankets and your four-legged friend? Please remember to donate old blankets or anything that your local animal shelter may need – Shelters are not the warmest place for homeless dogs and cats:( Adopt!

Contact Information

Donations to support the work of Sounds of Silent Spirits to save Valentine and other dogs like her can be made through our petfinder page, scroll down to the paypal link http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA641.html